Which Journals Should JKUAT School of Medicine Researchers Choose for Publication?

You have finished your medical research. The data is analyzed, the thesis is taking shape, and your supervisor has asked the question that every postgraduate researcher eventually faces: “Where are you going to publish this work?” For many researchers, choosing a journal can feel almost as difficult as writing the research itself. Should you choose a medical journal? A health-sciences journal? A journal that covers your specific specialty? And, perhaps most importantly, will the journal meet your postgraduate publication requirements? For researchers at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), IPR Journals and Books provides health-focused publication options worth exploring. The important thing, however, is to choose the journal because it fits your research not simply because its title sounds relevant.

What Kind of Research Comes From the School of Medicine?

The School of Medicine at JKUAT covers a wide range of medical and health disciplines. These include Clinical Medicine, Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, Critical Care and Anaesthesiology, Child Health and Paediatrics, Surgery, and Rehabilitation Sciences. The school also offers undergraduate and postgraduate training. (JKUAT School of Medicine) That diversity means that medical researchers can work on very different subjects. One researcher may investigate surgical outcomes, another may study childhood diseases, while another may examine rehabilitation, community health or critical care. So, before choosing a journal, ask yourself one simple question: What is the main focus of my research? That answer should guide your publication decision.

Which IPR Journals Should You Consider?

For researchers looking for health and medical publication opportunities, IPR Journals and Books offers two particularly relevant journals: the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing and the Global Journal of Health Sciences. The Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing covers health, medicine and nursing, including areas such as clinical practice, epidemiology, public health, health education and health promotion. The Global Journal of Health Sciences has a broader health-sciences scope covering medical sciences, dentistry, nursing and allied health sciences. In other words, you do not need to ask which journal is universally “better.” The more useful question is:  Which journal is the better home for my particular research?

Which IPR Journals Are Suitable for Medical and Health Research?

If your research examines patient outcomes, treatment practices, clinical decision-making, disease management or healthcare delivery, the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing may be a natural publication option to explore. IPR Journals and Books describes it as an international, open-access, peer-reviewed publication covering health, medicine and nursing, with a scope that includes clinical practice, epidemiology, public health, health policy, health education and health promotion. You can explore the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing to review its current scope and submission information.

However, not every medical study focuses directly on clinical practice. If your research looks at community health, disease prevention, rehabilitation, health promotion or wider health-system issues, the Global Journal of Health Sciences may be a better fit. IPR Journals and Books describes it as a peer-reviewed, open-access journal covering medical sciences and allied health sciences, making it useful for research that crosses traditional professional boundaries. You can explore the Global Journal of Health Sciences to see whether its scope matches your manuscript. Submission email for both journals: journals@iprjb.org

How Can You Decide Between the Two Journals?

The easiest approach is to look at the central question in your study.

This is a general guide, not a compulsory allocation. Always check the current scope of the journal before submission.

What Makes a Journal Refereed?

If you are publishing for the first time, you may hear the word “refereed” frequently. But what does it mean? A refereed journal sends submitted research to academic reviewers before publication. The reviewers assess the manuscript and may comment on its research question, methodology, analysis, findings and conclusions. This process gives authors an opportunity to improve their work. It also gives readers greater confidence that the published research has gone through an academic assessment process. IPR Journals and Books identifies its health and medical journals as peer-reviewed and incorporates review into its publishing process. For researchers, this means publication involves more than simply uploading a manuscript and making it available online.

Why Does Scientific Indexing Matter?

There is another term that postgraduate researchers hear regularly: scientific indexing. Indexing helps make published research easier to discover through scholarly databases and research services. It can therefore improve the visibility of your work and help other researchers find and reference your publication. IPR Journals and Books lists services such as Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, Crossref and Scilit among the services associated with its health journals. However, there is an important point to remember. Not every database or indexing service automatically satisfies every university’s publication requirement. If you are publishing as part of your postgraduate studies, confirm the specific indexing requirements of your programme before submitting. This simple step can prevent disappointment later.

How Many Papers Does a PhD or Master’s Student Need?

For many postgraduate researchers, publication is not simply about building an academic profile. It may also form part of the requirements for graduation. The 2026 draft Universities (General) Regulations published by the Commission for University Education state that, before the award of a doctoral degree, a candidate should provide proof of acceptance for publication of at least two papers in scientifically indexed refereed journals. The same draft provides for at least one paper in a refereed journal before the award of a Master’s degree.

That can be summarised as follows:

There is an important qualification. These are draft 2026 regulations, so students should confirm the current requirements with JKUAT and the relevant postgraduate office before relying on them for graduation.

Why Should You Think About Publication Before Finishing Your Thesis?

Many researchers wait until the final version of their thesis is complete before thinking about publication. Unfortunately, that can create unnecessary pressure. A manuscript may go through editorial screening, peer review, revisions and final publication. Reviewer comments can also require substantial changes. Planning your publication early gives you more time to prepare a strong article. It also allows you to respond to reviewers without trying to meet a tight graduation deadline. IPR Journals and Books supports authors through stages of the publishing process, including manuscript submission, peer review, editing, proofreading and publication.

What Do You Gain From Publishing Your Medical Research?

A publication can do much more than satisfy a postgraduate requirement. Your findings can reach other researchers, healthcare professionals, students and policymakers. Other scholars may cite your work, use your findings in future research or develop new studies from your conclusions. For an early-career researcher, publication can also help build an academic profile and demonstrate an active contribution to your field. Through IPR Journals and Books, authors can access publishing support that goes beyond manuscript submission, including editing, proofreading, design, publication and distribution.

What Should You Check Before Submitting?

Before you click the submit button, take a few minutes to check your chosen journal.

Ask yourself:

• Does the journal publish research in my area?
• Does my manuscript match its scope?
• Is its peer-review process clearly explained?
• What indexing services does it currently list?
• Does the journal meet my programme’s requirements?
• Does my manuscript follow the required format?
• Have I addressed research-ethics requirements?
• Have I checked the current publication fee?
• Is my research original and properly referenced?

These checks can save you from a common problem: having a strong manuscript but sending it to a journal that does not meet your academic needs.

How Can IPR Journals and Books Help You?

Choosing a journal is only the beginning. Once you have identified a suitable publication, you still need to prepare your manuscript, submit it correctly, respond to reviewer comments and prepare the final version for publication. IPR Journals and Books provides authors with support throughout this journey. Its services include manuscript submission, peer review, editing, proofreading, design, publication and distribution. This can be particularly useful for researchers publishing for the first time and for experienced academics who want professional support during the publication process.

Ready to Publish Your Medical Research?

Your research should not end when your thesis is submitted. Whether you are researching clinical medicine, surgery, paediatrics, anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation or another area of health science, choosing the right publication route can help your findings reach a wider audience. For researchers at the School of Medicine at JKUAT, the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing and the Global Journal of Health Sciences are two health-focused journals worth exploring. Explore the Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing:
Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing

Explore the Global Journal of Health Sciences:
Global Journal of Health Sciences

Submission email: journals@iprjb.org